What a week!

This week has been an uphill climb. To explain this, I am going to tell you a story.

The spring of 2009 I had to take an ecology class at Sul Ross. One of the many field trips that we were able to take was to hike up Mt. Liver moor (Third tallest mountain in Texas at an elevation of 8,378 ft.) We started at the bottom and we hiked all the way up. We hiked up a steep caliche road for the first half of the journey. For those of you who know about climbing mountains, you know that climbing up steep roads is not the best way to go. It was slippery and steep-not the best for a not-in-shape gal like myself to be climbing. I was climbing with my friend Nichole, who has been an amazing friend over the last few semesters. We started the hike and withing about 200 ft had to stop to catch our breath. We kept climbing and climbing so that we could reach the top. We got left behind by the faster hikers and we were by our selves. It got to a point on this journey that we were stopping every ten steps to catch our breath and remain standing. Eventually we caught up with everyone at the midway point where the actual trail started. We rested and kept going. As soon as the group started again, we were once again by our selves. All this time, we were talking and encouraging each other to get to the top. This was the most difficult thing I have ever done physically. Eventually we got to the top and were able to share in the victory of completing the hike. As I climbed the rocks to reach the very top, I was able to see the surrounding mountains perfectly! The cool breeze rushing past was amazing!

I can honestly say that I felt more accomplishment and joy right then than I have ever before. It was so hard on my body that I felt like a feather that could be blown in the wind. The journey back down was easier, but still tricky. The caliche roads were still slippery so we had to control our pace and foot placement.

The reason why I am writing this is because I believe that the Lord showed me a picture of my journey with Him this week. Just as Nichole and I climbed up that mountain, Jesus and I have been climbing a spiritual mountain. He is always there, stopping with me when I need to rest. He is there when I need to vent about how hard this is. He is still around when I decide weather to keep going or to head back down. He said that the day is coming when we will be able to reach the top and experience the joy that comes with it. As for now, we are climbing this mountain together, all the while getting to know each other.

As far as working out is concerned, I walked/ran two days and did Pilate's for two days. I took today (Friday) off because of a sore knee that I had yesterday and also because of sheer exhaustion. I will start up again on Monday.

This up hill battle has shown up over the last couple of weeks in several ways. The main way is that I have felt like I have no control over anything any more. I guess that this is a good thing as I should not be controlling and micro managing my life. I have felt like God is far away and has almost forgotten about me. I know that this is not true, but feelings are feelings and I cannot ignore them. I am learning to face the truth and proclaim it over myself daily.

Praise be to God who reigns on High! I am able to find victory in Him because He has already won all battles!